Bronwyn Reid from Small Company, Big Business highlights the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face within global supply chains and emphasizes the importance of building national trade resilience.

Reid identifies a “gap effect” in the relationship between large firms and SMEs, consisting of three key disconnects. Large companies often impose stringent requirements on SMEs, which may lack the resources to meet them, resulting in unclear expectations and frequent changes. Many SMEs struggle to keep up due to limited capacity and staffing constraints.

Significant potential

She stresses that national trade resilience depends on the depth of supply chains, not just cost efficiency. Shallow supply chains are vulnerable, as demonstrated during the disruptions caused by COVID-19. In Australia, the economic relationship between large companies and SMEs is valued at around $500 billion, highlighting significant potential to strengthen these partnerships.

Trust has become a critical factor in supply chain relationships, alongside delivery times and pricing. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 78% of people trust their employers, while only 64% trust businesses more broadly. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance has also become essential, but SMEs face challenges navigating complex and shifting requirements. Reid advises SME owners to simplify their approach to ESG, while urging large companies to adjust their expectations to better support smaller partners.

Co-living is emerging as a smart, modern alternative to traditional housing, offering safe and high-quality shared living spaces.

Unlike student accommodations focused on socializing or parties, this model is designed for mature individuals navigating Australia’s tight housing market and seeking affordable, comfortable homes.

A typical co-living property accommodates up to nine households while retaining the exterior of a standard home. Interiors are thoughtfully designed to balance privacy and community living, featuring five to nine hotel-quality suites, each with a spacious bedroom, en-suite bathroom, and kitchenette. Common areas include a main kitchen, living room, and outdoor space, creating a welcoming environment for residents to connect.

High demand

According to Yannick Ieko from The Harmony Group, co-living offers cost-effective housing solutions for tenants, with room prices averaging around $200,000 in desirable locations. Investors also benefit, as properties in prime areas tend to appreciate over time. Multiple households renting simultaneously generate strong cash flow, while the model’s low vacancy risk makes it a relatively safe investment. High demand and limited supply further enhance its appeal to property buyers.

Regulatory requirements classify co-living houses as 1B residential dwellings, ensuring safety standards are met while streamlining construction and approval processes. One of the main challenges for expanding co-living is the limited availability of specialized funding from lenders.

For more information, visit theharmonygroup

The recent closure of Sendle has cast a spotlight on the increasing pressures facing startups and small businesses in Australia’s logistics sector. As competition shrinks, delivery costs are rising and service levels are declining, leaving businesses to navigate a more challenging landscape.

For many small enterprises, reliable logistics is critical—not just for day-to-day operations, but for the growth of their ecommerce operations.

Jimmy Wu from Zappy Australia joins Ticker to explain how these changes are impacting small businesses differently from larger players. Startups often face tighter margins and fewer alternatives, meaning that even small increases in shipping costs or delays in service can have outsized effects. “For smaller businesses, every delay or extra cost compounds quickly,” Wu explains. “This can influence customer satisfaction, cash flow, and ultimately the ability to scale.”

Potential solutions

The current situation echoes earlier exits in the industry, such as Temando in 2019, which also left gaps in logistics services for smaller enterprises. Wu suggests that the future of ecommerce growth in Australia will depend heavily on innovation in logistics, from more flexible delivery options to technology-driven efficiency improvements. Potential solutions may include collaboration between smaller logistics providers, increased use of digital platforms, and alternative shipping models tailored for startups.

As the sector evolves, small businesses must remain nimble and proactive in adapting to these challenges. Understanding the shifting logistics landscape and exploring innovative solutions will be key for companies looking to thrive in Australia’s increasingly competitive market.

For more information, visit Zappy.

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